French actor Gérard Depardieu stands trial in Paris for alleged sexual assaults : NPR

PARIS — French actor Gérard Depardieu went on trial Monday in Paris on prices of sexually assaulting two ladies on a film set, in a case seen as a possible watershed for the #MeToo motion in France.

Depardieu, 76, is accused of getting groped a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director throughout filming in 2021 of “Les Volets Verts” (“The Inexperienced Shutters”).

The actor faces as much as 5 years in jail and a wonderful of 75,000 euros ($81,000) if convicted.

Depardieu denies any wrongdoing.

To reporters massed outdoors the courtroom, he briefly stated “I am okay.” Inside, he informed the judges that he was ready to reply the courtroom’s questions.

“We can present in an neutral, goal and incontestable method that the entire accusations are lies,” his legal professional, Jérémie Assous, informed journalists.

“The reality can be apparent and the reality is on our aspect,” he stated.

Trial is a check of France’s attitudes to sexual violence

Depardieu’s lengthy and storied profession has turned the trial right into a post- #MeToo check of the willingness of France and its film trade to confront sexual violence and maintain influential males accountable.

Depardieu has been a darling of French cinemagoers for many years and was Oscar-nominated in 1991 for his efficiency as swordsman and poet Cyrano de Bergerac.

However his alleged boorish conduct off-screen has additionally lengthy made headlines. He has been accused publicly or in formal complaints of misconduct by greater than 20 ladies, however thus far solely the sexual assault case has proceeded to courtroom. Some others have been dropped due to an absence of proof or the statute of limitations.

Feminist and historian Florence Montreynaud described Depardieu’s courtroom look as “a historic second” for girls’s rights, as she joined different campaigners who demonstrated outdoors the courtroom. A dozen chanted “Sexist violence, complicit judicial system” as they danced to techno music.

“Occasions are altering. #MeToo has swept by means of. Finally, mentalities are altering,” Montreynaud stated to French broadcaster BFMTV.

The trial additionally follows within the wake of the historic case final yr involving Gisèle Pelicot, whose bravery put the highlight on sexual violence in France. She demanded that the drugging-and-rape trial for 51 males tried for a horrific catalogue of abuse on her be held in open courtroom, arguing that doing so would assist make disgrace change sides.

France has typically been ambivalent — even resistant — towards the #MeToo motion. Whereas Hollywood noticed highly effective males fall swiftly and publicly, the French movie trade was slower to reply. Some dismissed #MeToo as an American export incompatible with French values, citing considerations over free expression and what they considered as an erosion of flirtation tradition.

On the time of the alleged assaults, Depardieu was already below formal investigation for rape. In 2018, actor Charlotte Arnould accused him of raping her at his house. That case remains to be energetic, and in August 2024, prosecutors requested that it go to trial.

Prosecution alleges actor groped plaintiffs

Prosecutors say Depardieu trapped the set dresser together with his legs earlier than groping her waist and breasts in entrance of witnesses. She says the actor additionally used obscene language and needed to be pulled away by bodyguards.

The assistant director alleged that Depardieu groped her each on set and on the street.

The ladies sat aspect by aspect in courtroom. The Related Press does not title individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted except they consent to being recognized. Neither has finished so on this case.

The trial is predicted to final a minimum of two days, however may very well be prolonged past Tuesday, if the chief choose desires extra time. The trial was initially scheduled for October, however then postponed due to Depardieu’s well being. A verdict is predicted at a later date.

Depardieu grasped his lawyer’s shoulder as he strode calmly into the courtroom. The actor has undergone a quadruple coronary heart bypass and has diabetes, in keeping with his lawyer. A court-appointed medical skilled decided that he is match to face trial, however advisable that the hearings do not exceed six hours, with a 15-minute pause and snack each three hours.

Plaintiffs eager to be heard

Past giving his title, Depardieu did not testify Monday. As a substitute, his lawyer took up a lot of the time, elevating what he described as authorized points and in search of to forged doubt on witness testimony and the police investigation. The legal professional alleged, with out offering proof, that police acted below directions from magistrates who led the investigation to “make Depardieu fall.”

Depardieu listened intently, generally nodding.

One of many plaintiffs burst into tears when her lawyer learn a message she wrote concerning the alleged sexual assault. Sitting by her aspect, the opposite accuser put a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of empathy.

The plaintiffs’ legal professionals stated they’d lay out their proof later.

One of many legal professionals, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, stated Depardieu had apologized to her consumer on the time. “So why apologize if you have not finished something?”

It was unclear what the apology message was about.

Durrieu Diebolt had beforehand stated that 4 extra ladies who say they’ve been sexually assaulted by Depardieu would testify.

In an open letter revealed in October 2023, Depardieu wrote: “By no means, however by no means, have I abused a lady.”

The actor had dropped out of sight in current months, his movie profession seemingly on maintain. However he nonetheless has pals within the trade. Actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant have been amongst those that took seats on his aspect of the courtroom.